Smock dress - Babatha Nganga (flowering gum)
$269.00
This variant is currently sold out
- scooped neckline on front
- Baby doll / smock style
- Buttons down the front (works for breastfeeding!)
- Gathered waist
- Pockets in side seams
- Loose oversized fit
- above knee length
- Fabric designed by Dora Deemal, HopeVale Far North QLD
- Hand screen printed
- Cream, light blue and pink on red lightweight linen
- Dress made ethically in Sydney
Artist: Dora Deemal
During WWII the German Lutheran missionary at Cape Bedford was taken as a prisoner of war, suspected of operating as a spy. Aboriginal people living at the mission were suspected of transmitting smoke signals to Japanese planes and were forcibly relocated to government camp Woorabinda in South West QLD. They were kept there in camps for eight years.
Dora was born at Woorabinda and returned to the newly established HopeVale Mission when she was five.
Dora started working at HopeVale Arts and Cultural Centre after she retired from working at the Aged Care centre, to keep her mind busy and work with the other ladies. She has 6 children, 18 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren
Art story: Babatha Nganga (gum flowers)
“This is a design about gum nut flowers – which we call Babatha Nganga in Guugu Yimithirr. Babatha grows around here, around the bush. Our gum trees come out with white flowers during the winter-time (but I’ve seen pink and red in Cairns). It’s
beautiful to see them on top of the hills – white amongst the green. There’s lots you can do with Babatha. The dead gum trees are good for making cooking fires; we cook damper and fish on the coals of that kind of tree. We make necklaces from the nuts; and you can make a whistle out of the gum nut. The bees make lovely honey from the flowers.”
This design was created at the HopeVale Arts and Culture Centre during a workshop with Cairns based Textile artist Bobbie Rueben.
Size and fit
Kaye wears size 12 smock dress.
Lisa wears size 16 (bust: 118cm, waist: 104cm, hips: 123cm, height: 178cm)
Measurement is of garment, in CMs.
| Smock dress | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| bust (cms) | 98 | 103 | 108 | 113 | 118 | 123 |
| bottom hem width (cms) | 160 | 165 | 170 | 175 | 180 | 185 |
| length (from scooped neck to hem) | 82.72 | 83.36 | 84 | 84.64 | 85.25 | 85.92 |
Treat me right
Design is printed on linen with quality inks and then heat-set; designs are colourfast. Each metre of fabric is hand-printed and is unique - fabulous variations often occur!
Please treat your wearable art with love and care – we recommend cold hand wash, dry in shade, and reverse iron.
Shipping
Standard Australia Post: AUD $8 (approx 5 business days)
Express Australia Post: AUD $11 (approx 1 - 2 business days)
Standard post to NZ: $13
Express post to NZ: $20
Standard International post: AUD $15
Express International Post: AUD $25
Free standard shipping Australia-wide for all orders over $500
All orders are packed and dispatched from country Victoria (Postcode 3747 if you would like to get an estimate from Aus Post). Orders made before 2pm will be posted that day, and after 2pm will be posted next business day.
Our guarantee: returns and exchanges
We want you to be happy with your Magpie Goose item + for it to fit well. We will exchange, provide a store credit, or provide a refund if your item does not fit or if the piece is not right for you! Full returns policy here.
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